We think of summer as vacation time, but some popular tourist destinations are more enjoyable to visit in fall — when it's cooler and less crowded. Taking a trip in the off-season can also significantly trim down the costs of travel and lodging, so you can spend more on having fun there.
Embracing wanderlust and the spirit of adventure can be expensive, but there are tricks for maximizing your budget to save money on traveling. See some of the best vacation destinations to visit in the fall instead of summer.
If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive travel discounts and trip-planning resources
Over 50 and love traveling? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member, you could be missing out on huge travel perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on hotels and resorts, airfare, cruises, car rentals, and more.
How to become a member today:
- Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
- Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
- Start enjoying your discounts and perks!
An AARP membership not only unlocks discounts that could save you hundreds on your next trip, but you’ll also have access to deals on vacation packages, guided tours, and exclusive content to help plan your next getaway.
Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (do not skip this step!). Doing so will allow you to take up to 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.
Orlando, Florida
Do you really want to visit Disney World during the hottest part of the year, when the air is so thick with humidity it feels like breathing soup and the park is swarming with children enjoying their summer break from school? Fall and winter weather in Florida feel just like summer to those north of the Mason-Dixon, but the prices drop significantly, making it the perfect place for an off-season vacation.
Want to skip the planning and go right to the fun? Check out Costco for inclusive packages that include air travel, park passes, lodging, and transportation for five days.
Phoenix, Arizona
The hottest desert in America is a great place to visit, but it's even better when the rest of the country starts to feel the chill of the colder months. Phoenix offers all the fun of fall festivals with the temperatures of a warm summer's day.
Phoenix is perfect if you love sun and spas, with many resort packages that include spa treatments. Grab a $100 daily resort credit for any trip before Sept. 30.
Arlington, Virginia
If you want the spectacular glory of color-changing fall foliage combined with the mild temperatures of sandal weather, you'll want to visit Virginia in the autumn. Leaf-peepers often flock to New England to see the colorful natural displays of trees preparing for winter, but the southern portion of the Appalachian Mountains offers the same gorgeous scenery with more moderate weather and fewer crowds.
Head over to the Arlington tourism site to grab a deal on creating your own vacation package with a discounted hotel stay and tickets to the local attractions. This is perfect for history enthusiasts who want to tour sites from our country's earliest beginnings.
Earn a $250 travel bonus with this incredible card
There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has no annual fee and you can earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
You can earn additional points just by using this card for your everyday purchases — unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. The 25,000 bonus points can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel or dining purchases.
If you want to travel and dine out more, the Travel Rewards card can help you get where you want to go.
The best part? There's no annual fee.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
If you've never been to the Great Plains, the fall is a wonderful time to see the prairie grasslands and visit the fall festivals and fairs. Many focus on honoring the Indigenous communities, a vital and often overlooked portion of American history.
The Red Earth FallFest, scheduled for Oct. 19, celebrates native arts and traditions. The Red Earth Treefest, which takes place between Nov. 15 and Dec. 29, showcases the traditions of the tribes blended with the more modern celebrations of the Christmas season.
Bloomington, Minnesota
Enjoy the splendor of fall foliage and plenty of indoor activities at the Mall of America. This is an excellent place to vacation if your family is split between enjoying the great outdoors and enjoying the comforts and conveniences of indoors. The largest mall in America has the Nickelodeon Universe, Sea Life Aquarium, and all the shopping you could ever want.
If you're planning a trip, don't forget to take advantage of the bundled attraction passes. You can grab tickets to both for just $66.99.
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Bottom line
Summer may be ending, but your traveling adventures don't have to be. Many places that are popular destinations for summer can be even more fun in the fall — and you can skip the crowds and the heat.
If you're prepping to move into your "Travel Era," remember to sign up for the best credit cards to earn travel rewards and stretch your budget to the max.
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- Learn how you can escape the paycheck-to-paycheck grind.
Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards
Benefits
Card Details
- $0 annual fee
- Simple, flat-rate rewards
- Flexible redemption options
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- Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
- Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.74% - 28.74% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
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- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
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Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
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Why we like it
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is great for individuals who enjoy earning rewards and traveling.
Cardholders will enjoy the flexibility to redeem points with no blackout dates and receive a statement credit to pay for travel and dining purchases.
Earn 1.5X points on all purchases everywhere, every time.
- Apply Now
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